U.S. Representative Paul Ryan set to headline fundraiser for Aaron Schock

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMFeb 26, 2013 at 4:15 PM

A JOURNAL STAR EXCLUSIVE

The streak of high-profile Republican speakers coming to central Illinois will continue.

Former GOP vice presidential candidate and current U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan will headline a fundraiser March 21 for U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock.

Chris Kaergard

The streak of high-profile Republican speakers coming to central Illinois will continue.

Former GOP vice presidential candidate and current U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan will headline a fundraiser March 21 for U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock.

“It’s a testament to Aaron’s depth and the respect he has among others who work with him,” the Peoria Republican’s campaign manager and chief of staff, Steve Shearer, said Monday, confirming the evening fundraiser to be held at Five Points Washington.

Though in high demand as a speaker and fundraiser after his role on the 2012 Republican ticket, Ryan has not hit the campaign trail with any frequency between November and the present. As such, the Wisconsin Republican is making something of an exception to raise money for the Schock for Congress fund.

“Everybody and his brother is asking him to come to their” events and fundraisers, Shearer said, noting that Ryan had told Schock this is to be the only fundraiser he does for a colleague over the next several months.

“Aaron and he are good friends,” Shearer said.

That was certainly what was on display every time the two appeared together or spoke about each other during the 2012 election cycle.

Ryan praised Schock multiple times on the stump, including during campaign swings through Bloomington and Quincy last year.

“There are a lot of people in Congress and just a small number of standouts — of really talented people. Aaron Schock is one of those extremely talented people who has the influence of more than just one member of Congress” because of his skills, intellect and energy level, the Quincy Herald-Whig quoted Ryan as telling a crowd in that city on July 14.

“He’s the citizens’ favorite legislator,” Schock told the Journal Star about Ryan during the 2012 Republican National Convention. “He’s exactly what citizens want in Washington, D.C. … Paul Ryan is that person who gets things done, who puts out ideas that both Republicans and Democrats can rally behind.”

The two often work out together in the nation’s capital and frequently share one leg of the trip back to their respective congressional districts when the House is in recess.

The House Budget Committee chairman is expected to talk about current congressional debates, the state of the country and the economy, as well as outline his opinions on what the GOP needs to do to stay competitive.

Schock has developed a reputation for bringing big-name speakers to the district for fundraisers, even before his election to Congress. That list of luminaries has included then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert in 2006; President George W. Bush and, later, his wife Laura; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; House Speaker John Boehner; former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney; and Fox News and Weekly Standard commentator Fred Barnes.

Tickets for the Ryan event are $250 per person, with a 5 p.m. reception and a 6 p.m. dinner. More information is available through Schock’s campaign office, 693-9393. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Chris Kaergard can be reached at 686-3135 or ckaergard@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisKaergard.